New Beginnings

Today was a big day! It was Brooklyn's first day of preschool! Yesterday, we went to see our pediatrician. Brooklyn has to go in for a check up while she's getting chemo every 30 days or so and we aren't scheduled to go to the oncologist until September, so we scheduled an appointment with the pediatrician b/c he is much closer to our house. He thought Brookie looked great and we talked about her treatment and the effects that the chemo could have and how she will do great throughout the process. It is so nice to have such a good doctor that is so genuinely concerned with how she is doing. After we finished with the doctor, we went to preschool to meet Brooklyn's teachers and her classmates. The oncologist told us a couple months ago that Brooklyn could go to preschool since she is getting to the maintenance portion of her treatment soon and hopefully her counts will stay high. I was excited that she was cleared to go because I know that she will enjoy it. She has been going to preschool for drop off and pick up for her brother and sister since she was born! She knows a lot of the teachers and is very comfortable there, so I was happy when he said that she could go this year. I'm also excited for her to make some of her own little friends, since she often only gets to play with her siblings and their friends. However, just the last few days I have started to wonder if it is the best idea. I do worry about her getting germs from other kids and how she will feel on the weeks that she is getting chemo, but I know we will just take it one day at a time. Her teachers know that she needs to be careful with germs and most of the kids in her class are families that we know, so they are aware of her more fragile condition and I know they will be cautious with sending their kids to school if they are sick. Even her pediatrician said he thought it would be good for her to go, so that reassured me a little more. If there were any doubts at all, she took care of them this morning. When we got in the car to leave for school, I couldn't find her hat, so I was asking her where it was. She said, "Why Momma? Are they not gonna like my head?" I said, "No sweetie, they will like your head." So she decided that she didn't need to take one today. Then, as we were driving to school, she said, "Are you gonna stay with me today?" I told her I would stay for awhile and she promptly told me that she was fine and didn't want me to. :) I am amazed at the strength of character she has at only 3 years old. It tugs at my heart when she says some things that she shouldn't know at such a young age. On our way to the doctor's office on Monday she asked if she had to give blood and cheered when I told her she didn't have to. She said, yea! No needles! Today after I picked her up, I stayed for awhile just to talk with her teachers about her care and how she might be feeling after she has chemo, and where her port is and that it will hurt if it gets hit or bumped and how the steroids may affect her mood. They told me that they talked about germs today and how it is important to wash hands and sneeze in their arms so they don't spread germs and get sick. One of her teachers said that Brooklyn said, "yea, I'm sick." And the boy next to her looked at her and patted her on the head and said, "You're not sick. You look fine."  The strength and the innocence that God gives to kids is something that is truly amazing. We went to "Tozen Yodurt" today after school at Brookie's request - we had to celebrate her big day. It was a good one. :)

Oh What a Week!

What a week! We had a wonderful time last weekend with family and friends in town for the tournament on Monday. We had a great day here Sunday, barbequing, swimming and just enjoying being together. Monday morning we woke up, got the older kids off to school, then Brooklyn's nurse came over to draw her blood, and we were off to the golf course! We met up with my mom there and she took Brooklyn and Kelsey back to her house for the day. My aunt picked up Braden and Kayla from school a little early so they could come out to the course for the afternoon too. It was so much fun to see friends from out of town that we haven't seen in awhile, as well as those that live in town that we don't get to see often enough. It was a beautiful day for golf and the winners of the tournament were really awesome. Oh wait - that was my group! HA!! No, it wasn't rigged, we were just that good. :) I got to play with my dad, our good friend Patricia and a very special friend of ours named Hailey. Hailey is 10 years old and quite a little golfer. When she heard about Brooklyn's tournament, she went around and raised money from friends and family so that she could come out to play. She even missed her first day of school to be there. It was such a touching act, Mike and I couldn't believe it. I had to make sure that she was in our group, and she was a huge part of our victory! She was so sweet afterwards, she gave Brooklyn a "get well soon" balloon that she had bought for her and talked with her for awhile. It was great. After dinner, Steve Holy and two of his bandmates put on an amazing show for us. I took Brooklyn over to meet him before the concert and he was so amazingly sweet and talked to us and wanted to hold her. His concert was awesome. It couldn't have been more perfect. It was so intimate and Steve kept talking to Brooklyn and telling stories, it was truly a night our family will never forget. We feel so incredibly blessed by the whole day, and thankful to have such amazing people surrounding us. It was a little tougher to wake up Tuesday morning for school, but we got everybody there on time. Then Brooklyn and I went down to the infusion room for chemo. I always have grand plans for all the stuff I want to get done while we are sitting there, but it never seems to happen. :)  This time, Brooklyn wanted to sit on my lap the whole time, I was kind of like her human recliner. It was good though, I really treasure these times when just the two of us are together. I never get tired of holding her hand or snuggling or getting big Brookie hugs. They were out of one of the anti-nausea medicines that they usually give her through her IV line, so they tried to just crush a pill and mix it with juice in a syringe for her. She didn't want to take it, and I was thankful we happened to be the only ones in the lab at that time b/c she was letting everyone know she didn't like it. :) When I finally got her to take it, she threw up right away. I decided that we didn't need to try again - we would just try to get by with the other kind they could put in her IV. I didn't want her to feel sick, but I didn't want to force her to take that medicine again either. Later she got her finger pinched in the chair, so it was a bit of a rough morning for her. That night we had back to school night at Braden's and Kayla's new school. Mike and I got a quick dinner afterward which was nice since we have been so busy lately. Wednesday we got the house picked up a little and then had soccer practice for both Braden and Kayla and then back to school night for Brooklyn's preschool. Thursday night we had our couples small group, so by Friday night we were exhausted. Friday after Kayla's soccer practice, the kids and I stayed for awhile and played kickball on the baseball field. It was really fun to just play and have fun together, and the kids got absolutely filthy - which they looooved. I am always happy when we take the time to just play and have fun together, especially during these days when there is so much on the schedule, it can seem like there is never time for that. Saturday, Braden and Kayla had their first soccer games! It was so much fun. I don't know what it is about soccer, but I can't stop yelling the whole time! I guess it is the inner soccer-mom coming out in me. Brooklyn had a great time because she got to have the snacks from both of the kids' games. It's great to be a younger sibling. :) Today we celebrated my dad's birthday at our house. We had a fun day swimming and playing baseball and eating cake of course! It was such a full week, but it was full of wonderful things, and I am so thankful and so happy that we are able to do all of them together.

School Days

I can't believe we are back at school already! It doesn't seem like it's time yet, but we have begun the craziness that is the school year. Tuesday, Brooklyn wasn't feeling well. I don't know why, because she is usually fine four days after her chemo, but she threw up all morning. She is so sweet because really tries her hardest to not make a mess. If she feels it coming, she will tell me, "I need a buttet" or she will run onto the tile so she doesn't throw up on the carpet. It is the sweetest thing, it just breaks your heart because she will be fine and playing and then rush to the kitchen and bend over and throw up. We were out of the anti-nausea medicine that actually works well and doesn't taste horrible so I felt so bad for her. All that she is wanting to eat this week is Kix and pepperoni. Awesome - the diet of champions! She started to feel better in the afternoon so we ran out and did a couple errands and met up with Mike and they picked up her anti-nausea medicine, so that has helped her the last few days. Wednesday we hung out at home and relaxed all morning since it was the last day before school started. We swam and just played and Brooklyn was feeling better, so it was nice. Then we had to go to school for Kindergarten orientation. Kayla got to go into her new class and meet her teachers while the parents went into the gym and different staff members talked to us about the school year. I had Braden, Brooklyn and Kelsey with me too so I only heard about every fifth word because I was trying to keep everyone relatively quiet in the back of the room. :) We came home for about 30 minutes to refill our water bottles and then went back to school to find out who Braden had for his teacher and where his classroom was. From there we rushed to Kayla's soccer practice and after that over to Braden's practice. After dinner, we got the kids down and then we pretty much crashed on the couch too! Thursday morning both Braden and Kayla woke up on their own, I think they were excited for their first day. Mike worked from home so I got to take Kayla just by herself to her first day. Our school is a little crazy because Kayla starts at 8:00 for morning kindergarten but Braden (and the rest of the grades) start at 9:00. She was a little hesitant but was fine when I left and was playing with stuff in the classroom. I came home, made Braden's lunch and then took him to school. Both of us were pretty nervous since this is a whole new school for us so he doesn't know anyone. I was nervous for him because he is pretty shy when he is in a new situation even though he normally is the life of the party (which can lead to trouble since he doesn't always realize that school is not a party!) I was worried about who both of them would play with and who Braden would sit with at lunch, ugh! I just wanted to stay in both their classes with them! Brooklyn was a little jealous that the older two got to go to school and can't wait until she gets to go. Kayla was happy when I picked her up and couldn't wait to go back the next day and can't wait til she gets homework. Braden did fine too, really likes his teacher but didn't really play with anyone yet. They were both excited when they got home though because they couldn't wait to see their cousins. Mike's brother & his family came to town Thursday night to stay with us and so the kids couldn't wait to see them. Friday the kids did great at school again and then we all went to Kayla's soccer practice after school and the kids played on the playground with Uncle Brian and Aunt Amanda. Saturday the rest of the Franks came to town so we are partying it up at our house! We are excited to get to spend time all together and looking forward to the tournament and concert on Monday.

Holy Moley

They say that true friends are with you through thick and thin and over the last six months we have definitely seen how many true friends we have. Not that we didn't know that we had good friends before Brooklyn was diagnosed, but it has been especially apparent to us during these crazy days we are experiencing now. We received so many cards and gifts in those first few weeks, it all is kind of a blur now - we were in such a state of shock and learning and adjusting that I don't think we really realized what was going on. Then when our friends planned the event at the winery, it was so amazing. We had friends fly in from all over just to show us their support and it meant so much to us then and it still does today. Now, next Monday is the tournament that more friends have set up to help support Brooklyn through these few years. I know how much work it takes to put on a tournament, and the fact that people are taking time out of their busy schedules to plan something for us is so incredibly touching. It is hard for me to accept help; I would much rather be the one planning this event for someone else. But it is such a testament to how truly blessed we are to have such amazing people in our lives. I am also so excited that Steve Holy is coming out to put on a concert after the tournament. We have never met him, but he is a friend of one of our friends and said he would be happy to come out to play for the event. We are so grateful and thankful that Steve would offer to come out to the golf course for such a small event. He is a very popular country star who has had two #1 hits and we love his music! I know it is hard to get out on a Monday night, and a lot of the schools in our area are starting that day, but if you can make it out Monday night, I know it will be a really fun time! The love and support that we have felt from family and friends throughout this diagnosis has made me realize how lucky we are and know that other families that are going through this exact same thing don't have the amazing support system that we have had. I don't know in what fashion or exact way yet, but in the future, I would like to help other families that have children going through treatment. Donating presents for the kids, putting together helpful information packets for parents, making of list of things they will need, or just visiting the hospital and playing with sick kids, I know that some or all of these things are things I want to do someday. I know that right now we have a lot going on so I probably don't need to take on something else right yet, but I would love to help people feel supported throughout the scary time they are going through with their child the way that we have. Thank you all for your continued prayers, messages and support. We are truly grateful.

Horsin' Around

This was the last full week we have before school starts! I can't believe it! I feel like the summer has flown by & I don't want it to be over! I love being home with all the kids and just hanging out or going places together and having fun. I love that they can sleep in and not have homework or really too much to do at all. But, the routines and homework and busyness all starts again next week. Braden and Kayla start school next Thursday and they both started soccer practice this week. In my state of freaking out over the end of summer, I planned as many play dates and fun things to do this week as possible. Shocking, I know. That's just my style. :) It was really fun to get together with some friends that we haven't played with for a long time on both Monday and Tuesday and Tuesday night we went to Leatherby's to celebrate Braden and Kayla doing so well in Jr. Golf this year. The kids were super excited to have such yummy ice cream sundaes and even Kelsey got to eat some! She is somewhat of a 'toothless wonder' considering the fact that she eats all kinds of food yet just barely broke through her fourth tooth at 14 months! Craziness. Wednesday, we went to horse camp. I had just signed up Kayla and Brooklyn (Braden said he didn't want to do it), but we all went because I wanted to make sure that Brookie was okay with everything. The woman that runs that camp is amazing. She is so nice and laid back and was so welcoming to all of the kids at camp. Kayla went one day last summer and she remembered all our kids from last year. Braden ended up doing everything that the girls got to do and she even let him ride at the end of the day too. They loved the morning and Brooklyn smiled the whole time, even while she was picking up horse poop! Thursday we mostly hung out at home in the morning, but I took the kids to a fun park not far from our house in the afternoon. I had a hard time getting them to leave! This morning Brooklyn and I went down to the infusion room for chemo. When we got there, I stopped and said, uh oh! One of the nurses laughed and said - "Did you forget the emla?" I totally forgot to put the numbing cream on Brooklyn's port before we left. I thought about it twice but then we were so busy getting stuff together before we left, and we had to go by the elementary school to drop off Kayla's shot records, so I completely forgot to put it on! They had some at the infusion room, so we put it on right away and just had to wait about 30 minutes before we could start her treatment. I'm pretty sure my brain is never going to be the same again. I told a friend the other day that I was just getting over 'pregnancy brain', am currently in 'chemo brain' and when this is over I'm just going to be old and not remember anything! :) Brookie did great with her chemo and with the needle again, just like she always does. She is so funny and is always concerned that the nurse is 'weally caretul' when she takes the needle out. She has never had a bad experience with it, so I'm not sure why that is what she's worried about. When we were done, we picked up lunch and went to visit with our friends that are moving to Palo Alto and then went home. My aunt had been here with the kids all morning and then took Braden home with her for the night. The kids love having one-on-one time with my mom and dad or aunt and uncle, so it is so nice when they get to do that. Kayla had her first soccer practice this afternoon so the girls and I went to that and got home about 6:00. Mike got home a little after we did and had to leave right away for his softball game. We were planning to go watch, but it was obvious Brooklyn wasn't feeling very well. She told me at one point that she had "allergies" and she could feel them in her tummy. It is so cute that she doesn't exactly know how to describe how she's feeling. A little later she said she needed a bucket to throw up, but just dry heaved. I got some of the anti-nausea medicine to give her, but it took 10 minutes of convincing and arguing to get her to take it. It is hard to explain to a 3 year old that if she takes the medicine, she will feel better. All she knows is she is tired of medicine and it doesn't taste good so she wants nothing to do with it. As soon as I finally shot it in her mouth, she started gagging and threw up. Luckily I turned her quick enough to angle her to throw up on the mat in front of the slider so she didn't throw up on the carpet in the family room. After she threw up she said she felt better and wanted to go to Mike's game, but I just took the girls up and got them in bed. It was a long week but a really good one. I love hanging out with our kids and with friends and I will miss the lazy days of summer, but it is exciting to start a new year with new friends too.